Creative CV template to download

A creative CV uses purposeful layout, considered typography and restrained colour to present your profile clearly while standing out. It is ideal for design-led or brand-conscious roles (e.g. UI/UX, marketing, content, product), provided the document remains readable and ATS compatible. The aim is clarity first, style second.

Yes—if you keep text selectable and headings standard. Avoid text baked into images, heavy tables and complex columns that confuse parsers. Use real text for skills and experience, export a clean A4 PDF (fonts embedded), and keep file size reasonable (~2MB). When in doubt, keep a simple version for online portals.

Prefer a classic layout for conservative sectors (e.g. finance, legal, some public sector) or when a job ad requests a “simple CV”. If you lack time to polish design, prioritise readability and accuracy. Always match the industry and company tone.

Use a neutral base with one accent colour and high contrast. Choose 1–2 legible typefaces with limited weights (e.g. Regular/Semibold). Target ~10.5–12 pt for body, 14–18 pt for headings, with comfortable line spacing. Avoid ornate display fonts except (sparingly) for initials or section labels.

In the UK, CV photos are generally optional and often discouraged to reduce bias. For creative portfolios or client-facing roles, a small, professional headshot can be acceptable—keep it discreet and ensure it does not push important content below the fold or inflate the file size.

CV Creator lets you start from a professional creative CV template and focus on your content rather than fighting with layout in Word or Photoshop. You can edit every section online, adjust colours and typography, and preview your CV in real time.

Once you are happy with the result, you can download your CV in PDF or Word format, ready to send or update later. All templates are designed to stay ATS-friendly, with real text, clear headings and a clean A4 structure.

For most UK applications, aim for a one-page creative CV if you have up to 7–8 years of experience. Keep the layout clear, with concise bullet points that show results and key skills rather than long paragraphs.

More experienced professionals can use a two-page CV, especially for senior or technical roles, but avoid going beyond that. The design should support quick scanning, not hide important dates, job titles or achievements.

Designing a CV from scratch in Photoshop or similar tools can look impressive, but it often creates files where the text is embedded in images and therefore not ATS-friendly. Recruiters and online portals may struggle to read or parse your document.

Using a professional creative CV template keeps the layout polished while ensuring all content remains selectable text. With CV Creator, you get a design-led structure that you can customise quickly, export as a clean PDF or Word file and update whenever you need.

You can absolutely reuse the same creative layout, but you should adapt the content for each job. Keep the design, colours and structure, and adjust your Personal Statement, skills and bullet points to mirror the language and priorities of the job advert.

This way you save time on design while still showing recruiters that your CV is tailored to their role. With CV Creator, it is easy to duplicate your CV, tweak a few sections and export a fresh PDF in minutes for every application.